Friday, November 28, 2025

Discover the Finest Local Finds This Holiday Season at Presente Fair 2025 by ArteFino and Security Bank

Makati, Philippines—Give more meaningful gifts this season at Presente Fair 2025, a four-day holiday marketplace by Artefino and Security Bank that brings together the best of Filipino craftsmanship under one roof. Featuring over 100 contemporary and artisanal brands, the Fair is the perfect destination for fashion lovers, home enthusiasts, discerning gifters, and everyone looking to shop local with purpose.

Happening until November 30 at the Fifth at Rockwell, Power Plant Mall, Presente Fair transforms the space into a vibrant showcase of heritage, creativity, and modern Filipino design. From handwoven fashion and artisan-made home pieces to gourmet treats and sustainable lifestyle items, every purchase supports local communities and small businesses.

Among this year’s standout exhibitors is Project Nova, a sustainable-driven brand from Bohol that turns retired inflatable kayaks, inner tubes, and tents into stylish, upcycled bags —proof that conscious fashion can be both functional and beautifully designed.

Exclusive perks for Security Bank cardholders
  • Holiday shopping gets even better with Security Bank:
  • 0% ChargeLight Installments for up to 12 months
  • Charge Now, Pay Next Year for purchases of ₱10,000 and above, giving
  • FREE entrance for all Security Bank credit and debit cardholders—simply present your card at the door.
Guests without a Security Bank card for ₱150, with 100% of ticket proceeds supporting communities affected by recent calamities.

Find out more about Security Bank credit card perks at www.securitybank.com/personal/credit-cards/

COLORFUL Technology Unveils Three New B850 Series Motherboards for Next-Gen AMD Ryzen Processors

Colorful Technology Company Limited, a leading name in gaming PC components, gaming laptops, and HiFi audio products, has expanded its B850 motherboard lineup with three new models designed to support next-generation AMD Ryzen processors. The new additions—the CVN B850M ARK FROZEN, BATTLE-AX B850M-PLUS S WIFI7, and COLORFIRE B850M-MEOW WIFI7—bring upgraded power design, improved connectivity, and unique aesthetic identities tailored for gamers, creators, and PC enthusiasts.

This launch also marks the arrival of the long-awaited COLORFIRE MEOW Series motherboard for AMD Ryzen users. Built on the AMD B850 chipset, the refreshed MEOW model debuts a clean white color scheme, playful cat-themed elements, and the signature MEOW personality that fans of the series have come to appreciate.

All three motherboards in the expanded lineup support AMD Ryzen 7000, 8000, and 9000 Series processors, along with high-speed DDR5 memory and modern thermal engineering. Each product carries its own design philosophy, catering to different types of PC builders while ensuring high-level performance and future-ready technology.

The COLORFIRE B850M-MEOW WIFI7 delivers a charming and functional experience, combining warm white heatsinks with an iridescent MEOW nameplate. Its 10+2+1 power phase design, dual high-speed M.2 slots, and 5G LAN + Wi-Fi 7 networking provide reliable performance for both casual and competitive usage. The custom MEOW-themed BIOS adds a fun twist to system tuning, aligning with the series’ creative aesthetic.

For those focused on raw performance, the CVN B850M ARK FROZEN offers overclocking-ready capabilities with its enhanced 14+2+1 power phase layout built with 80A DrMOS. Designed to support top-tier processors such as the Ryzen 9 9950X3D, it includes a dedicated clock generator for base clock adjustment and supports DDR5 speeds up to 8400MHz. Its combination of PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots, robust cooling armor, and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity makes it ideal for high-end gaming and content creation.

Rounding out the trio, the BATTLE-AX B850M-PLUS S WIFI7 introduces a bold black heatsink armor design with strong, layered lines. Built with a 10+2+1 power phase structure using 55A DrMOS, it’s engineered for stable performance with high-core-count Ryzen CPUs. Its 5G LAN + Wi-Fi 7 networking ensures smooth and responsive gameplay for competitive players.

For pricing and availability, customers are encouraged to contact their local COLORFUL Technology representative.

MVP Group’s Ideaspace Cohort 13 Spotlights 6 Emerging Businesses as ‘Startups for the Future’ at Demo Day

Makati City, PhilippinesIdeaSpace Foundation, the leading early-stage technology incubator and accelerator arm of the MVP Group of Companies, successfully spotlighted six high-potential startups from the 13th cohort of its flagship Accelerator Program during its Demo Day on November 19, 2025, at Common Ground, Makati City.

With the theme “Startups for the Future,” the latest cohort featured startups that have completed the rigorous three-month program, launched in August, and are now ready to reshape key industries with innovative solutions focused on technology, sustainability, and changing lifestyles.

The program's culmination served as a pivotal platform for founders to present their scalable ventures to IdeaSpace’s network of partners, investors, and industry leaders, marking their entry into the next phase of growth.

The six graduating startups of Cohort 13 are the following:
  • KaHero: A cloud-based point-of-sale system that empowers small businesses with management tools for sales, inventory, and multiple branches.
  • Soolok Properties Inc.: A digital platform that aggregates foreclosed property listings and applies proprietary pricing models to identify best-value real estate deals.
  • Xure: A mobile marketplace designed for collectors to safely buy, sell, and trade valuables, incorporating expert appraisal and certification.
  • DashoContent: A hybrid content operations platform leveraging both AI and human experts to streamline content creation and management workflows.
  • Cloverly: An internal tool for property developers and brokers that significantly streamlines and digitizes the complex process of buyer onboarding.
  • Polka Motors: An online marketplace that simplifies and accelerates the application process for motor vehicle loans.
Startups in Cohort 13 have already proven their operational readiness and market impact. The graduating businesses have achieved significant traction, collectively onboarding over 588 F&B and general merchandise branches and 350 dealer branches, and have accumulated a combined user base of over 12,000 active users. Furthermore, the cohort has successfully expanded its reach both locally and internationally, launched enterprise pilots, secured follow-on investments, and established crucial business-to-business (B2B) collaborations across essential verticals, including banking and financial services.

“IdeaSpace has always been and remains a vital funnel of world-class, early-stage talent to the global community, and we believe the overall future of the Philippine startup ecosystem has never been brighter,” said Rene “Butch” Meily, President of IdeaSpace Foundation

The Accelerator Program will continue to provide the startups with comprehensive support, including mentorship from industry experts, access to IdeaSpace's extensive network, and guidance on business operations, fundraising strategies, and effective marketing. This continuous program is designed to fast-track the growth of these promising technology-based ventures as they transition to their next funding rounds.

“The cornerstone of our work is to sustain the ecosystem so that we help more startups that have immense potential to contribute to the economy and national development. This cohort embodies that mission, and we are excited to partner with them on their journey to build scalable, sustainable businesses. Demo Day is not an end, but a beginning of crucial collaborations.” Alwyn Rosel, Executive Director of IdeaSpace, added.

Since its launch, the IdeaSpace Accelerator Program has been a cornerstone of the Philippine startup landscape, supporting over 150 startups and empowering a new generation of Filipino entrepreneurs.

PLDT, Smart Back YSEALI in Championing Cyber Safety Among Youth Leaders

Recognizing that young people are on the frontlines of building safer digital communities, PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) recently joined the YSEALI Cyberbayanihan Summit 2025 in Davao City, empowering the next generation of responsible digital citizens.

Jointly organized by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Philippines, YSEALI Amplify 9.0, Lyceum of the Philippines University–Davao, and the USG Alumni Association–Davao, the event gathered youth from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao for a Training of Trainers program to strengthen their capacity to promote cybersecurity awareness and digital inclusion in their communities.

“In this age of rising digital threats, it’s encouraging to see young leaders step up as local cybersecurity champions. We recognize the critical role we play in promoting internet safety, and our goal is to ensure that Filipinos, especially the youth, are equipped to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Stakeholder Engagement Head at PLDT and Smart.

Through its #BeCyberSmart program, the PLDT group equipped participants with tools to fight scams, phishing, and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, empowering them to lead their own cyber education initiatives nationwide. PLDT and Smart also opened the PLDT Innolab to the participants, highlighting its role in promoting innovation and cybersecurity practices among Filipino youth and startups.

“As a YSEALI alumna and part of PLDT’s innovation team, it’s meaningful to serve as project officer for the YSEALI Cyberbayanihan Summit and bring PLDT into this impactful collaboration. This initiative showcases how youth, innovation, and purpose can come together to build a safer and more empowered digital community,” said Kristine Dara Ever Juan, PLDT Head for Innovation Lab & Ecosystem Partnerships (Innolab).

Throughout the summit, participants engaged in interactive learning sessions on responsible digital citizenship and emerging technologies. Design thinking activities and campaign development exercises helped them present ideas to promote safer, cyber-resilient communities.

“The YSEALI Cyberbayanihan Summit empowered me to use digital tools responsibly to protect and amplify the voices of young indigenous peoples. I’m grateful to PLDT and Smart for supporting this initiative, which inspires us to become Cyberbayanihan advocates for our communities,” shared Boi Anna Jessa Mae Y. Crisostomo, National Spokesperson of the Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Youth Organization.

This collaboration reflects PLDT and Smart’s commitment to promoting digital literacy, cybersecurity, and online safety, helping build a stronger, more inclusive digital Philippines, where empowered youth lead the way toward a better, connected future.

Thursday, November 27, 2025

EastWest, FoodPanda, and Visa Reward Cravings With the New Credit Card

Manila, Philippines—Filipinos who live for convenience and crave-on-demand can now turn every order into a rewarding experience with the EastWest foodpanda Visa Credit Card, a co-branded card made for today’s digitally savvy, food-loving spenders.

Built for modern lifestyles, the card allows users to earn cashback not only from their foodpanda orders but also from everyday purchases, from their morning coffee runs to weekend grocery hauls. It can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, locally or abroad, making every tap rewarding.

The collaboration between EastWest and foodpanda merges the best of two worlds: EastWest’s expertise in digital banking innovation and foodpanda’s strong connection with Filipino consumers who value convenience and rewards. Together, they are introducing a card product that’s not only practical but also personal, aligning with how modern consumers live, spend, and enjoy.

“We built this card around what our customers love most: food, convenience, and crave-on-demand,” said Daniel Jaramillo, Managing Director of foodpanda Philippines. “It’s a payment option that rewards the simple joys you enjoy every day: your morning coffee, your comfort food, or even your spontaneous late-night cravings.”

Endless cravings. Instant rewards.

Through this partnership, cardholders can enjoy 10% cashback on all foodpanda orders, earning up to Php 400 in cashback each month. They will continue to earn 3% cashback after reaching the cap, ensuring continuous rewards for repeat orders. Users also earn 1% cashback on overseas transactions and 0.3% cashback on other local purchases, with a Php 1,000 monthly cap on total cashback earned across all spending categories.

The card comes with no annual fee for the first year and a free six-month pandapro subscription for early users. Cashback is credited weekly to a user’s pandapay wallet, giving immediate access to rewards—a first in the local market that reflects foodpanda’s focus on instant gratification and seamless convenience.

“We saw a natural synergy between EastWest’s financial solutions, Visa’s global network, and foodpanda’s digital ecosystem,” said Jerry G. Ngo, Chief Executive Officer of EastWest. “Through this partnership, we can offer customers something rewarding and relevant, delivered in a way that is simple, fast, and easy to use, built around the way Filipinos experience everyday life.”

A New Way to Spend Deliciously

As credit card usage continues to grow among younger consumers, cobranded products like the EastWest foodpanda Visa Credit Card highlight a shift toward lifestyle-first financial tools that make daily living more rewarding and accessible.

“The power of Visa’s technology and global network enables fast, seamless, and secure payments that truly elevate food and dining experiences for Filipinos, and this co-brand partnership underscores our shared commitment to provide products and financial instruments tailored to Filipinos’ dynamic consumer needs and preferences,” highlighted Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines.

With tap-to-pay functionality, global Visa acceptance, and automatic weekly cashback, this ultimate foodie card redefines convenience and satisfaction, proving that even small purchases can lead to meaningful rewards. For foodpanda, every craving—big or small—deserves to be rewarded.

To learn more or start your application, visit eastwestbanker.com/foodpanda or tap ‘Apply Now’ on the foodpanda app.